Oleh/By		:	DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD 
Tempat/Venue 	: 	ANGKASAPURI, KUALA LUMPUR 
Tarikh/Date 	: 	14/09/82 
Tajuk/Title  	: 	THE PRESENTATION AND CLOSING 
			CEREMONY OF THE 27TH ASIAN 
			FILM FESTIVAL 




Yang Berbahagia Datuk Syed Kechik, Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Penganjur dan
Presiden Persatuan Pengeluar-Pengeluar Filem Malaysia; Yang Berhormat
Menteri-Menteri; Dif-Dif Kehormat; Tuan-Tuan dan Puan-Puan yang dihormati
sekelian.

Terlebih dahulu saya mengucapkan selamat datang, terutamanya kepada
dif-dif dari luar negeri, yang turut sama menyerikan Pesta Filem Asia Ke
27 ini.

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

2. On behalf of my wife and myself, I wish to express our thanks and
appreciation to the Organising Committee for inviting us to this
star-studded glittering occasion of the closing and award presentation
ceremony of this annual film festival.

3. This is the 27th festival to be held in the Asia- Pacific region, under
the aegis of the Federation of Motion Picture Producers Association of
Asia, of which Malaysia is a member. This is also the second time that it
is held in our capital city, after a lapse of 23 years.

4. As one who is interested in the growth of the film industry in Asia I
must, in all sincerity, congratulate the film-makers for their progress
and the organisers for their efforts in presenting to us tonight such a
beautiful array of stars and other screen personalities. This show is
worthy of this still glamourous industry.

5. As for Malaysia, it is indeed an honour for us to play host to our
distinguished guests from the Asia-Pacific region coinciding as it does
with the celebration of the 25th anniversary of our Independence.

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

6. Amidst the flurry of festival activities, members of the Board of
Directors of the Association still found time to hold their annual meeting
to appraise their past achievements and to chart their future
course. Whatever they have resolved at this meeting should certainly go a
long way towards developing the film industry of the region.

In conjuction with this Festival, a symposium with "Towards A Common Film
Market" as a theme was also held, which I believe will enhance the efforts
for our film-makers to develop greater interaction and rapport that is
much needed to augment the growth of the film industry. I believe the
fruits of their deliberation will pave the way for greater and stronger
co-operation, not only for those in the film industry, but also the
nations of the Asia-Pacific region.

7. Film makers, whether they are producers, directors, script writers,
actors and actresses, are endowed with such special qualities that they
can contribute in one way or the other towards the happiness of their
audience. At the same time, of course, they are able to assist in the
process of moulding public opinion and achieving better understanding of
the world at large. In utilising the vast wealth of knowledge at their
disposal for presentation to the audience film makers have an important
role to play. In a real sense they are the personification of the mass
media.

Collectively they form the most effective media machinery able to reach
out to society at large. They can make the audience happy or, they can
make them cry. They can make them knowledgeable or they can confuse them
absolutely.

Above all they can inculcate positive values so essential to nation
building and the development processes.

8. In the context of developing Malaysia, I see their vast potential in
putting across our commitments and reassuring Malaysians of the targets of
the nation's strategy in sustaining the growth of a happy and vibrant
country as envisaged in our New Economic Policy. Most of you present
tonight are leaders in your own right, and you have contributed very
significantly towards the growth of the film industry to the economic
advantage of your respective countries. The potential for advancement in
your sphere of responsibility cannot be overstated. With the changing
times, and all the opportunities ahead of you, I feel certain that as the
cream of the screen world, you will accept the challenge of forging a
happy and prosperous future.

9. We in Malaysia have established a corporation which is known as FINAS,
that is the National Film Development Corporation, whose function is to
assist in the healthy growth of the local film industry. At the same time
we expect the Corporation to safe-guard those gracious and high moral
values that we have inherited. Its terms of reference include among other
things the promotion and regulation of local productions of high quality
and also to ensure that adequate facilities exist for screening the
films. It is our belief that with the expertise available at FINAS it can
be of use in the improvement of the quality of local production. However
to be truly profitable local films must be good enough to be shown outside
of this country.

10. I understand, that the Shaw and Cathay circuits have been cooperating
with FINAS and the local producers in meeting their needs. Still I believe
the two theatre giants could do more in assisting our local producers to
realise their cherished dreams. The lament of our local producers does not
end there. Like movie-makers elsewhere, they are also seeking to expand
their present outlets and to exploit the market centres beyond our
shores. In this respect I believe FINAS has initiated the move to market
their films to Indonesia under the free exchange programme that was
formalised recently. Given the time and improved technology and expertise
it would be possible to eventually secure exhibition facilities beyond our
present circuit.

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

11. Let me conclude by congratulating the winners of the awards. For those
who were not quite fortunate at this festival, I must ask them not to
despair. There is always another time. As for the winners, however, I must
ask them not to rest on their laurels. Let your success inspire you to
greater achievements.

Thank you.